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Hi again. My countdown is on for my mastectomy with immediate reconstruction - surgery is 30th March please God! In advance of that, I'm wondering if there is anyone out there with a few tips on how to make life easier for myself during my stay in hospital and upon returning home? Thanks Encee

Hi I'm new here, my story quite similar to Encee's. I was diagnosed end of January after finding what I thought was a small lump shortly after my 40th birthday. It's Grade 2 hormone-receptive (is that the term?) so no chemo, was glad to keep the hair! Am on Tamoxifen and Zoladex with a view to reducing tumour ahead of (some sort of) surgery. Tumour was a whopping 7cm at diagnosis, estimated to be about 6cm now so some sign of reducing already but obviously early days. Seeing consultant again at beginning of May and then should learn where we are re surgery - to be honest, from the research I've done I think I want a masectomy, that seems to be what happens in the end anyway so why wait? Have good days and bad days but find the kids keep me going and I try my best to stay positive. Anyone else on Tamoxifen? I haven't had any major side-effects yet (on it 7 weeks) although the Zoladex injection has left my libido at rock bottom and I have very hormonal moments (well, hubby would say I always did)

Hi ,when I got the devastating news in feb that I had B.C I found this forum brilliant even thou im only posting now.Im 49 three kids 22,19 and 15 and a wonderfull Hubby.I was really suprised how quickly things were dealt with, Doctors with lump Jan 12th, 2 weeks later hopital for mamogram ultrasound and core biopsy 2weeks later results B.C confirmed , 2nd March mastectomy Sentinal Node Biopsy imediate reconstruction with expander and my nipple was saved fantastic. But ive booked to go to Cheltenham Races on the 17th Patricks Day will I be able to go, my wonderfull surgeon said to come for a check up a couple of days before i fly and if I had no complications I could go. I did go had tickets to Owners and Trainers Bar where there was plenty of chairs and no bumping into crowds my Hubby had a ball and we came home the following day. My next apointment was about my nodes 6 were taken 5 came back clear and 1 had a micro something so its been sent to America for a test that isnt availble hear or England. Im back to Limerick on Monday to see what they have to say hopefully i wont need chemo but if I do I do. The Team at The Reginal hospital have been fantastic .Im hoping to join a support group as I find talking really helps . Talk soon

Hi all I had a wide local excision two weeks ago, after being diagnosed with grade 2 lobular breast cancer at the end of Jan. Had hormone therapy for 3 months followed by neo-adjuvant chemo for 6 months, the latter of which worked really well and shrunk a pretty massive (8-9cm) tumour. The results are back from the op and surgeon is pleased generally - however, she compares tumour to block of ice, it has melted but pool of water remains - so we are going to need to go back in to get clearer margins. Following a meeting about me, some of the docs recommend a masectomy - they say even if margins are clearer after another wide local excision, that the cancer could come back in 10 years (I'm 40 now) so am beter off with a masectomy. I need to decide within next few days and I just don't know what to do. I always said that if I had a masectomy, I would do a double (risk reducing in second healthy breast) as I feel the pscyhological impact would be no worse and I would definitely want reconstruction surgery. Now my surgeon is talking to a few more people about me now as I type, she thinks another wide local excision could do the trick and that the risk of it coming back would be alleviated by radiotherapy in the new year - obviously there is still some risk, I appreciate that. She also says that if the margins are not clear, then the masectomy will be next step. No one is telling me what to do, the decision is largely mine to make. I think it'd be easier if they'd just make my mind up for me! Also another question: She says if I have a masectomy, I would be up to year waiting for reconstruction as have to have radiotherapy first. They do sometimes do immediate reconstruction after surgery but she says the cosmetic effect may not be as good if I have to have radiotherapy afterwards. Anyone done this??

I am near the end of my chemo, a few more taxol left but the tiredness is getting frustrating. Has any one got tips that might help me with this. Love the good weather but have no energy to do the smallest of things. Thanks

Well not the results I wanted but im going for it the two drugs are Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide and its once every 3 weeks for 4 months .Hopefully I wont have two many side effects my hair will go but thats the least of my worries. Any tips ladies ?

Sorry for moaning everyone.... I am now just over 4 wks out from my last surgery which removed my expanders and left me flat. I am still leaking fluid daily (but nowhere near as much as before TG). I have itchy red welts in a giant rectangle all over my right chest from the dressings constantly having to be pulled off and changed several times a day. My body (as per usual) is now pushing the soluble stitches to the skins surface in little cavities filled with pus along my incision. The fluid loves all these little cavities that keep appearing and is dribbling out each as they appear. I am constipated from antibiotics, can't eat properly, vomit regularly, have lost another half stone in 3 wks and have no energy. I honestly believe that this will end and it will be in the next few weeks but I HAVE A PAIN IN MY ARSE WITH THE WHOLE BLOODY THING NOW!!!! Phew, that feels better.... Better out than in, as Shrek says. Flo.

I was given a Neulasta injection after my 2nd round of chemo and it's prescribed for the final 2 also. I found that it seemed to intensify the side effects and I was really unwell for a couple of days. Has anyone any help or advice on this please.

Found a brilliant Irish Web Site with lovely hats scarves bandanas e.t.c The lady is really easy to deal with and you just send back the ones you dont keep the web address is www.bluerosewaterford.com She will also alter them if they are to big at no extra cost they are all made at the premises.

I lost my dear father last week to brain cancer. He only lived 10 months from diagnosis to death and it was a rollercoaster of a journey. I was by his side for the last two months as he went downhill rapidly over xmas and New Year. We were told then that he only had a few days but lasted until 4th March. It was a horrific journey at that point though and I was with him when he eventually passed away. I am finding it very tough. While he was ill, I just dealt with it and tried not to dwell on the inevitable outcome. His prognosis had always been poor. Now that he's gone, I'm reflecting on everything he went through and becoming increasingly distraught. I feel guilty that I couldn't do anything to help him. I even feel guilty about his death and wonder if I'd called the nurse earlier would he still be with us. I can't come to terms with any of it and feel I let him down.